“The day after the the attacks [9/11], Bush talked to Richard Clarke, his chief adviser on counterterrorism (fighting terrorism), telling him: “See if Saddam did this. See if he’s linked in any way.” Clarke replied that it was the work of al-Qaeda, and no link with Iraq had been found. Nonetheless, Bush said, “Look into Iraq, Saddam.””
– Andrew Langley, Bush, Blair, and Iraq: Days of Decision, Page 19